For more than one hundred and twenty years, McKenzie & Willis has been part of New Zealand homes. From its beginnings in Christchurch in 1906, the business has grown and evolved alongside changing styles, technologies, and ways of living, while maintaining a focus on quality, service, and considered design.
The following timeline highlights the key moments that have shaped McKenzie & Willis into the interiors brand it is today.
Joseph Willis and R.S. McKenzie met on a train and quickly decided to go into business together, planning to establish themselves as "Land, Estate, Insurance, and General Commission Agents." This meeting marked the beginning of what would become McKenzie & Willis. Pictured is the business card of McKenzie and Willis, used during their first year of business.
McKenzie & Willis' First Advertisement One of the first McKenzie & Willis advertisements appeared in The Press, promoting their inaugural premises at 163 Hereford Street, "nearly opposite Bank of New Zealand going East." The ad marked a pivotal moment, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become a well-known name in the furniture and interiors industry.
McKenzie & Willis expand their reach with 'regular sales of furniture and general merchandise,' catering to growing demand. This expansion saw the need for larger premises, prompting the duo to sign a 15-year lease and relocate to the Royal Exchange Building, a prominent landmark in Christchurch's Cathedral Square, marking a new chapter in their business journey.
The partnership between Willis and McKenzie dissolves, with Joseph Willis subsequently taking full ownership of the business. The well-established name of McKenzie & Willis continued, preserving its strong presence and reputation in the market as it entered a new phase under Willis' sole direction.
McKenzie & Willis purchased the Queens Theatre on Hereford Street, Christchurch, and undertook extensive alterations before reopening in June. Over the next six years, further renovations were completed, including the addition of another storey. This expansion allowed the business to grow, filling all four floors and broadening its offerings to include flooring, home appliances, curtains, and blinds, alongside its existing furniture collection.
The model home display concept was introduced with the ‘Showroom Bungalow,’ allowing customers to see furniture and furnishings arranged as they would be in their own homes. This approach not only enhanced the appearance of the items for sale but also kept customers up to date with the latest trends.
McKenzie & Willis embraced a true department store concept, expanding their product range to include not only furniture and interiors, but also televisions, electronics, records, and whiteware. This diverse selection made them a one-stop destination for customers seeking a variety of home products and furnishings.
The first official branch of McKenzie & Willis opened in Timaru, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion. This new location allowed the brand to extend its reach beyond Christchurch, offering customers in Timaru and surrounding areas access to the same high-quality furniture and home goods.
Pictured is McKenzie & Willis on Stafford Street, Timaru in 1975.
McKenzie & Willis acquired the well-known Christchurch furnishings retailer, AJ Whites, and moved into a new location that would become their iconic Christchurch showroom. Situated on the corner of Tuam and High Streets. The new location quickly became a central destination for customers.
McKenzie & Willis expanded further into the South Island through strategic partnerships, opening in Gore in 1992 and Dunedin in 1996. Known for its well-respected reputation in home furnishings, the company quickly became a trusted name in these new regions. The Gore partnership went on to open additional locations in Queenstown and Wanaka, further solidifying McKenzie & Willis' strong presence across the South Island and expanding their reach to more customers seeking quality furniture and home goods.
McKenzie & Willis exited the partnership model in favor of full ownership, purchasing outright the Dunedin, Queenstown, and Wanaka showrooms, while exiting the Gore market. This transition allowed them to have complete control over operations. They then went on to relaunch brand new design-focused stores in these markets, creating modern and stylish spaces that aligned with their evolving brand vision.
Following the Christchurch Earthquake the flagship building was damaged beyond repair however, efforts made soon after meant the historic facade was able to be saved and restored. McKenzie & Willis Christchurch relocated to their current home at 181 Blenheim Road.
McKenzie & Willis opened a new design store in Wellington, marking an important step in expanding their footprint beyond the South Island. This store helped to solidify McKenzie & Willis' presence in the North Island, offering customers in the capital city access to their renowned range of furniture and interior design solutions.
The newly refurbished flagship McKenzie & Willis showroom in Christchurch opens, featuring a modern design that highlights the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation.
McKenzie & Willis acquired the North Island design retailer, The Design Depot, expanding their reach and influence in the region. In 2023, the showrooms in Hamilton and Mount Maunganui were officially relaunched as McKenzie & Willis’s northernmost branches. Both locations were fully renovated, unveiling modern, design-focused showrooms aligned with the brand’s evolving vision and quality standards.
McKenzie & Willis introduced a dedicated mobile service to support the South Canterbury region, ensuring clients continued to access the brand’s quality products and personalised service following the closure of the Timaru showroom.
Operating from a Timaru base, the mobile service offers in-home measuring, product guidance, and tailored recommendations across key product categories, including curtains, blinds, furniture, beds, and linens, delivering the same level of expertise and care found in the McKenzie & Willis showroom experience.
McKenzie & Willis will continue to build on their proud tradition of customer service and quality; continuously looking to improve on their retail environments to increase the range of products and services and allow customers greater access to a total home furnishing and décor experience.